Corrosion inhibitor compositions including quaternized compounds

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for making and a method for using a corrosion inhibitor composition to reduce the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid containing a corrosion agent. The corrosion inhibitor composition comprises at least a quaternized compound. Examples of the quaternized compound are quaternized imino imidazolines and quaternized amido imidazolines.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/268,377, filed on Mar. 15, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,411.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a process for producing and a method for using a corrosion inhibitor composition for reducing the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid having at least one corrosion agent. More specifically, the invention relates to synthesis and use of one or more quaternized compounds having an imino or amido moiety, for example quaternized imidazoline(s) having an imino or amido moiety, in such a corrosion inhibitor composition used in oil and gas-field applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to reduce the rate of corrosion of metals, and particularly metals containing iron, from one or more metal corrosion agents present in a fluid (i.e., a gas, liquid, slurry or a mixture thereof a corrosion inhibitor is frequently introduced into the fluid to reduce the rate of corrosion of the metal vessel, pipeline and/or equipment used to store and transport the fluid. In oil and gas-field applications, for example, corrosion inhibitors are added to a wide array of systems, including without limitation, cooling systems, refinery units, pipelines, steam generators and oil or gas producing units in efforts to combat a variety of types of corrosion.

One example of corrosion, among others, typically encountered in the transport of a fluid containing one or more corrosion agents (hereinafter simply referred to as “fluid”) is flow-induced corrosion. In the case of flow-induced corrosion, the degree of corrosion that occurs is presently believed to depend on a variety of factors, including the corrosiveness of the fluid itself, the metallurgy of the pipeline and the shear rate, temperature, and pressure of the fluid.

Also, to the extent that a corrosion inhibitor is used, the inhibitor's ability to reduce the rate of corrosion of a metal from flow-induced corrosion, among other types of corrosion, is presently believed to depend on at least two factors. One factor is the inhibitor's chemical affinity for the metal surface. A second factor is the inhibitor's resistance to breakdown under high shear conditions. Therefore it is currently believed that the rate of corrosion, especially flow-induced corrosion, of a metal more likely will be reduced where the inhibitor has good chemical affinity for the metal surface and can resist breakdown under high shear conditions. Many inhibitors have been developed to reduce corrosion. However, their activity is sufficiently low that higher concentrations are oftentimes required to effectively treat a pipeline, most particularly where flow-induced corrosion is a problem, thereby increasing operating costs.

Conventionally, the presence of a free amine moiety in inhibitors, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,640, has been thought to be desirable because a pendant alkyl amine group would have at least one free amine (e.g., a NH₂ group) available for interaction with a metal surface. Accordingly, until the disclosure of the present invention, those skilled in the art of synthesizing corrosion inhibitors refrained from further reacting the intermediate product produced in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,640 and/or producing imidazoline derivatives where the group pendant to the imidazoline ring contains either an imino moiety, generally described as —N═CH—R or, an amido moiety, generally described as —N—(C═O)—R.

Conventionally, such imino and amido imidazolines and their derivatives generally were considered to have little to no corrosion inhibition activity or potentially to have detrimental effects on the reaction product's corrosion inhibition activity. Specifically, it was understood by those skilled in the art that the lack of a pendant group with a heteroatom (e.g., nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen) having a pair of nonbonding electrons freely available for interaction with a metal surface would have an adverse affect on the performance of the inhibitor. In such instances, the pendant group would lose its freely available pair of nonbonding electrons on the heteroatom of the pendant group because of electron delocalization. In turn, it was thought such electron delocalization would reduce the compound's ability to interact with a metal surface, and thereby reduce its overall inhibition activity.

A corrosion inhibitor is desired that has improved inhibition performance as compared with inhibitors presently used for treating systems experiencing flow-induced corrosion, among other corrosion problems.

A substantial number of corrosion inhibitors have been disclosed for reducing the rate of corrosion of metal-containing storage and transport systems. More specifically, a number of corrosion inhibitors have been disclosed, most particularly for treating flow-induced corrosion, including, among others, quaternized imidazolines. A need exists, however, for a corrosion inhibitor with improved reduction in the rate of corrosion, for example flow-induced corrosion, of metals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for producing a composition comprising at least a quaternized compound, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a first organic compound from the group consisting of: (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, wherein said fatty acid is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof; (b) selecting an alkyl polyamine from the group having the general formula:

H₂N—CH₂—(CH₂)_(p)—NH—(CH₂)_(q)—NH₂

wherein p=1 to about 5 and q=2 to about 10; (c) selecting a second organic compound from the group consisting of (i) carbonyl compounds having from 2 to about 31 carbon atoms; (ii) fatty acids having from 2 to about 30 carbon atoms; and (iii) combinations thereof; (d) selecting a third organic compound from the group consisting of (i) substituted and unsubstituted, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids, and amide and ester derivatives thereof, having from about 3 to about 11 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, α,β-unsaturated sulfonic and phosphonic fatty acids having from about 2 to about 11 carbon atoms; and (iii) combinations thereof; (e) mixing said first organic compound and said alkyl polyamine in a mole ratio in a range of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1 to produce at least one intermediate compound, wherein said mole ratio is the total moles of said first organic compound to the total moles of said alkyl polyamine; (f) mixing said at least one first intermediate compound with said second organic compound to produce a second intermediate compound; and (g) mixing said second intermediate compound with said third organic compound to produce said composition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition produced by the process described above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using the composition produced by the process described above for reducing the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid having at least one corrosion agent, said method comprising: (a) introducing said composition into said fluid; and (b) contacting said metal with the fluid of step (a).

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a corrosion inhibitor composition for reducing the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid having at least one corrosion agent, said method comprising: (a) introducing said corrosion inhibitor composition into said fluid, said inhibitor composition having at least one compound wherein said compound is a quaternized compound having the general formula:

wherein, R₁ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of: (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms, wherein said alkyl group is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof; R₂ is an imino moiety; R₃ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of —CO₂H, —SO₃H, —PO₃H₂, —CO₂R₇, —CONH₂, —CONHR₇ and —CON(R₇)₂ groups and combinations thereof; each R₇ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and linear and branched alkyl aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl and heteroaromatic groups having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof; R₈ is hydrogen or a linear alkyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; and n=0 to about 8, p=1 to about 5 and q=2 to about 10; and (b) contacting said metal with the fluid of step (a).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention, discussed below, relates to methods for synthesizing quaternized imidazolines as well as other related quaternized compounds described by the following general formula, hereinafter referred to as compound A:

where R₁ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms, wherein said alkyl group is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof; R₂ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of imino and amido groups; R₃ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of —CO₂H, —SO₃H, —PO₃H₂, —CO₂R₇, —CONH₂, —CONHR₇ and —CON(R ₇)₂ groups and combinations thereof; each R₇ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and linear and branched alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl and heteroaromatic groups having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof; R₈ is hydrogen or a linear alkyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; and n=0 to about 8, p=1 to about 5 and q=2 to about 10. It is to be understood that the range of carbon atoms specified for each group described herein refers to the main chain of the alkyl groups, and does not include carbon atoms that may be contributed by substituents.

Many quaternary ammonium compounds are acyclic, having the general formula R₄N⁺X⁻, and are a type of ionic organic compound with at least one nitrogen atom. However, heterocyclic compounds with at least one nitrogen atom also can be quaternary ammonium compounds.

In the case of acyclic quaternary ammonium compounds, a nitrogen is covalently bonded to four organic groups and bears a localized positive charge that is balanced by a negative counterion. The negative counterion may be either attached to or unattached to, but still associated with, the rest of the compound.

In the case of heterocyclic ammonium compounds, at least one nitrogen has four bonds, which are either (a) each single bonds or (b) two single bonds and a double bond. The present invention produces heterocyclic quaternized ammonium compounds, which, for convenience, are depicted as having two single bonds and a double bond with the double bond shown as a resonance type structure, indicating that it is delocalized between two nitrogen atoms of the same heterocyclic ring. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specified groups pendant to each nitrogen, could also, in whole or in part, be pendant to a single nitrogen.

The quaternized compounds A may be used alone or in combination with other corrosion inhibitors and/or corrosion inhibitor formulation substances, including, without limitation, solvents, surfactants, and quaternized salts, which are more fully described below.

All derivatives of compound A have heterocyclic rings containing two nitrogen atoms. The heterocyclic ring of compound A preferably has from about 3 to 7 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 3 to 5 carbon atoms and most preferably 3 carbon atoms. Compound A is a quaternized imidazoline when there are 3 carbon atoms, a quaternized tetrahydropyrimidine when there are 4 carbon atoms, and so on.

As specified above, the derivative of compound A may have one group pendant to the first nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring containing a —CO₂H, —SO₃H, —PO₃H₂, —CO₂R₇, —CONH₂, —CONHR₇ and —CON(R₇)₂ group and a second group pendant to the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring containing an imino or amido group.

Also, the derivative of compound A may have a group pendant to the apex carbon bridging the first and second nitrogen of the heterocyclic ring that is (i) a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms; (ii) a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized alkyl group having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms; or (iii) a combination thereof. Generally, preferred R₁ moieties include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms, (b) substituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms, and (c) sulfurized unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms. More preferred R₁ moieties include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 11 to about 23 carbon atoms, and (b) substituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 11 to about 23 carbon atoms. Most preferred R₁ moieties include unsubstituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 17 to about 21 carbon atoms.

Examples of suitable substituents include, without limitation, OH, SH, halogen atoms, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl and heteroaromatic groups and, combinations thereof.

The group pendant to the first nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring has at least 2 carbon atoms, one of which may be substituted with a linear alkyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. The pendant group may or may not have a conjugated portion with up to 8 carbon atoms which may or may not be substituted with a linear or branched alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl or heteroaromatic group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or a combination thereof.

The group pendant to the first nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring also contains a —CO₂H, —SO₃H, —PO₃H₂, —CO₂R₇, —CONH₂, —CONHR₇ or —CON(R₇)₂ moiety. Preferably, the group pendant to the first nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring contains a carboxylate, sulfonate or phosphonate moiety, more preferably contains a carboxylate or sulfonate moiety and most preferably contains a carboxylate moiety.

Preferably, the group pendant to the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring contains a linear or branched alkyl group having from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, more preferably contains a linear or branched alkyl group having from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and most preferably contains a linear alkyl group having from about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the group pendant to the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring also contains an imino or amido moiety, and more preferably contains an imino moiety.

Therefore, more particularly, one embodiment of a compound A derivative contains an imino R₂ moiety, in the group pendant to the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic group, having the following general formula:

where R₅ is selected from the group consisting of linear alkyl, branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic, alkylaryl, heteroaromatic and heterocyclic groups having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. Preferably, R₅ is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, more preferably is a linear or branched alkyl having from 1 to about 11 carbon atoms and most preferably is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms.

Another embodiment of a compound A derivative contains an amido R₂ moiety, in the group pendant to the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic group, having the following general formula:

where R₄ is a moiety selected from the group consisting of (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 5 to about 29 carbon atoms, wherein said alkyl group is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof. It is to be understood that the range of carbon atoms specified for each group described herein refers to the main chain of the alkyl groups, and does not include carbon atoms that may be contributed by substituents.

Generally, preferred R₄ moieties include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms, (b) substituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms, and (c) sulfurized unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 7 to about 23 carbon atoms. More preferred R₄ moieties include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 11 to about 23 carbon atoms, and (b) substituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 11 to about 23 carbon atoms. Most preferred R₄ moieties include unsubstituted, unsaturated alkyl groups having from about 17 to about 21 carbon atoms.

For example, one of the most preferred derivatives of compound A is a quaternized imino imidazoline having the following formula, hereinafter referred to as compound A₁:

where R₁ is C₁₇H₃₃, R₂ is NCHCH₂CH₃, R₃ is COO⁻, R₈ is hydrogen and n=0, p=1 and q=2 in formula A.

Another example of a preferred derivative of compound A is a quaternized amido imidazoline having the following formula, hereinafter referred to as compound A₂:

where R₁ is C₁₇H₃₃, R₂ is NHCOC₁₇H₃₃, R₃ is COO⁻, R₈ is hydrogen and n=0, p=1 and q=2 in formula A.

The synthesis of compound A derivatives, and more specifically, of the illustrative compounds, A₁ and A₂, described above is discussed more fully below. However, it should be understood that commercial manufacture of compound A will typically lead to a mixture of final products resulting from an incomplete cyclization step and competing reaction pathways that can yield compound A. Accordingly, a mixture of compounds includes at least a compound A derivative in combination with other compounds, including, without limitation, some unreacted starting material, some intermediate mono-, di- and/or polyamides arising from the reaction pathway for compound A derivatives and possibly other derivatives produced by competing reaction pathways.

The quaternized compounds having a moiety selected from the group consisting of imino and amido groups can be made using a wide array of organic compounds. Suitable organic compounds for practicing the invention are discussed below.

The first type of organic compound is generally selected from the class of fatty acids. More specifically, the fatty acids useful for practicing the invention can be selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, wherein the fatty acid is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and combinations thereof. It is to be understood that the range of carbon atoms specified for each group described herein refers to the main chain of the acid, and does not include carbon atoms that may be contributed by substituents.

Generally, preferred fatty acids of the first type include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, (b) substituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and (c) sulfurized unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms. More preferred fatty acids of the first type include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms and (b) substituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms. Most preferred fatty acids of the first type include unsubstituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 18 to about 22 carbon atoms.

The alkyl polyamine(s) that can be used to practice the invention can be selected from the group having the following general formula:

H₂N—CH₂—(CH₂)_(p)—NH—(CH₂)_(q)—NH₂

wherein p=1 to about 5 and q=2 to about 10.

Generally, preferred alkyl polyamines include those where p=1 to 2 and q =2 to 3. More preferred alkyl polyamines include p=1 and q=2 to 3. Most preferred alkyl polyamines include those where p=1 and q=2.

To produce a composition comprising an amine intermediate for a quaternized compound having an imino or amido moiety, the mole ratio of the first organic compound to the alkyl polyamine may be selected from the range of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1, hereinafter referred to as the IA mole ratio range. As used herein, IA mole ratio means the ratio of the total number of moles of the first organic compound to the total number of moles of alkyl polyamine used in a process for making an amine intermediate for a quaternized compound having an imino or amido moiety. Generally, the preferred IA mole ratio range of the first organic compound to the alkyl polyamine is selected from the range of from about 0.65:1 to about 1:1. The more preferred IA mole ratio range of the first organic compound to the alkyl polyamine is selected from the range of from about 0.7:1 to about 0.9:1. The most preferred IA mole ratio range of the first organic compound to the alkyl polyamine is selected from the range of from about 0.75:1 to about 0.8:1.

It should be understood that the terms “mix”, “mixed” or “mixing” as used herein are intended to embrace all synthesis procedures, including, without limitation, batch, continuous, in-situ, interfacial and/or solution type processes and combinations thereof. Moreover, such terms and reference to any intermediates produced are used for convenience and for clarifying the scope of the Applicant's invention. Accordingly, such terms should not be construed to limit the claimed invention to: (a) any particular sequence of reaction steps suggested herein, or (b) the production and/or separation of any specified amount of intermediate(s) for any specified length of time as a prerequisite to a subsequent process step.

The first intermediate produced by mixing the first organic compound with the alkyl polyamine is then mixed with a second organic compound to produce either an imino intermediate or an amido intermediate.

To produce a quaternized compound having an imino moiety, the amine imidazoline intermediate mixture produced from the first organic compound and the alkyl polyamine is mixed with a second organic compound. In the case of a quaternized imino compound, the second organic compound is a carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of aldehydes and ketones having from 2 to about 31 carbon atoms. Preferably, the carbonyl compound is selected from the group consisting of linear alkyl, branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic, heteroaromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes and ketones, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the carbonyl compound is selected from the group consisting of linear alkyl, branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic, heteroaromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes.

To produce a quaternized compound having an amido moiety, the amine imidazoline intermediate mixture produced from the first organic compound and the alkyl polyamine is mixed with a second organic compound. In the case of a quaternized amido compound, the second organic compound can be selected from the group consisting of (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms, wherein the fatty acid is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof. It is to be understood that the range of carbon atoms specified for each group described herein refers to the main chain of the acid, and does not include carbon atoms that may be contributed by substituents.

Generally, preferred second organic compounds for synthesis of the quaternized amido compounds include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, (b) substituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms and (c) sulfurized unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms. More preferred organic compounds include (a) unsubstituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms and (b) substituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms. Most preferred organic compounds include unsubstituted, unsaturated fatty acids having from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Examples of suitable substituents include, without limitation, OH, SH, halogen atoms, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl and heteroaromatic groups, and combinations thereof.

The resultant imino or amide intermediate produced by mixing the first intermediate with the second organic compound is then mixed with a third organic compound to produce a quaternized compound having an imino or amido moiety, respectively.

The third type of organic compound is generally selected from the class of α,β-unsaturated fatty carboxylic acids and amide and ester derivatives thereof, α,β-unsaturated fatty sulfonic or phosphonic acids, and combinations thereof. More specifically, the third type of organic material useful for practicing the invention can be selected from the group consisting of (i) substituted and unsubstituted, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids, and amide and ester derivatives thereof, having from about 3 to about 11 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted or unsubstituted, α,β-unsaturated sulfonic and phosphonic fatty acids having from about 2 to about 11 carbon atoms; and (iii) combinations thereof. It is to be understood that the range of carbon atoms specified for each group described herein refers to the main chain of the acid or acid derivative, and does not include carbon atoms that may be contributed by substituents.

Generally, preferred α,β-unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids and amide and ester derivatives thereof, and α,β-unsaturated sulfonic and phosphonic fatty acids are (a) unsubstituted and have from about 2 to about 9 carbon atoms, and (b) substituted and have from about 2 to about 9 carbon atoms. More preferred α,β-unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids and amide and ester derivatives thereof, and α,β-unsaturated sulfonic and phosphonic fatty acids are (a) unsubstituted and have from about 2 to about 7 carbon atoms, and (b) substituted and have from about 2 to about 7 carbon atoms. Most preferred α,β-unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids and amide and ester derivatives thereof, and α,β-unsaturated sulfonic and phosphonic fatty acids are unsubstituted and have from about 2 to about 5 carbon atoms.

Examples of suitable substituents include, without limitation, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl and heteroaromatic groups, and combinations thereof.

Generally, preferred types of acid groups for selecting α,β-unsaturated fatty acids are carboxylic and sulfonic acids, while the most preferred acid group is carboxylic acid.

To produce a quaternized compound having a moiety containing a hydrocarbon and carbonyl, sulfonyl or phosphonyl group, the imino or amide intermediate mixture is mixed with one or more of the α,β-unsaturated fatty acids or acid derivatives, described above as the third organic compound. Preferably, the relative amounts of the imino or amide imidazoline mixture and the third organic acid or acid derivative are determined on a mole ratio basis. As mentioned above, the intermediate mixtures produced in the process of this invention can comprise other compounds in addition to the target intermediate species (e.g., imino or amide imidazoline intermediate species) specified for a particular process.

Thus, a composite molecular weight can be used to calculate the number of moles of a particular intermediate mixture. Theoretically, such a composite molecular weight determination could represent the molecular weights of all chemical species of the mixture and their respective mole percent contributions to the mixture composition. However, making such a determination requires time-consuming and tedious analysis of the mixture composition. Consequently, for convenience, the composite molecular weight for an intermediate mixture, produced by the processes of the present invention, was determined herein by presuming the mixture is primarily comprised of the target species. So, for example, the composite molecular weight assigned to the imino imidazoline mixture of Example 1 below is 389 grams/mole (i.e., the molecular weight of the target imidazoline), whereas the composite molecular weight assigned to the amide imidazoline mixture of Example 2 is 423 grams/mole (i.e., the molecular weight of the target imidazoline). Accordingly, such composite molecular weights can be used to calculate the number of moles of the mixture, and thereby determine the preferred amount of the third organic compound to be used in view of the mole ratio ranges specified below.

Preferably, the mole ratio of the target imino or amide intermediate mixture to the third organic acid or acid derivative is selected from the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:2.5. More preferably, the mole ratio of the target imino or amide intermediate mixture to the third organic acid or acid derivative is selected from the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:2. Most preferably, the mole ratio of the target imino or amide intermediate mixture to the third organic acid or acid derivative is selected from the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:1.5.

The corrosion inhibitors of the present invention can be used in any system exposed to fluids (i.e., liquid, gas, slurry or mixture thereof) containing a metal corrosion agent where improved corrosion inhibition is desired. However, the corrosion inhibitors of the present invention are particularly well-suited for use in oil and gas field applications and refinery operations.

With respect to such oil and gas field applications, the corrosion inhibitors of the present invention may be added to oil and/or gas fluids in the form of a solution or dispersion in water or an organic solvent. Examples of suitable solvents are alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, secondary butanol, glycols, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

The amount of active ingredient in a corrosion inhibitor formulation required to sufficiently reduce the rate of corrosion varies with the system in which it is used. Methods for monitoring the severity of corrosion in different systems are well-known to those skilled in the art, and may be used to decide the effective amount of active ingredient required in a particular situation. The compounds may be used to impart the property of corrosion inhibition to a composition for use in an oil or gas field application and may have one or more functions other than corrosion inhibition, e.g. scale inhibition.

The inhibitors of the type described herein have proven to be particularly effective for inhibiting corrosion of mild steel in hydrocarbon, oil/brine mixtures and aqueous systems under a variety of conditions. The inhibitor compositions claimed herein are preferably used in sweet systems, i.e., systems having a relatively high CO₂ concentration. However, use of such compositions in systems having sour conditions (i.e., systems having a relatively high H₂S concentration) is also acceptable. Although fluid content of flow lines may vary, the inhibitor may be used in a variety of environments. Oil cuts in the field can range from less than 1% (oil field) to 100% (refinery) oil, while the nature of the water can range from 0 to 300,000 ppm TDS (total dissolved solids). In addition, the inhibitor compositions of the present invention would also be useful in large diameter flow lines of from about 1 inch to about 4 feet in diameter, small gathering lines, small flow lines and headers. In a preferred method, the inhibitor composition is added at a point in the flow line upstream from the point at which corrosion prevention is desired.

In practice, the inhibitor compositions of the present invention are preferably added to the flow line continuously to maintain a corrosion inhibiting dose of from about 0.01 to about 5000 ppm. More preferably, the corrosion inhibiting dose is from about 0.1 to about 500 ppm. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the corrosion inhibiting dose is from about 1 to about 250 ppm. Although a most preferred use of the corrosion inhibitor compositions of the present invention is for mild steel flow lines, it is believed that the inhibitor compositions are also effective in inhibiting corrosion in other types of metallurgy. In certain cases, batch treatments are the method of choice for application of the inhibitor compositions of the present invention. However, the invention can also be practiced using a continuous process. Dosage rates for batch treatments range from about 0.1 to about 50,000 ppm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate of the flow line in which the inhibitor composition is used is between 0 and 100 feet per second. A more preferred flow rate is between 0.1 and 50 feet per second. In some cases, the inhibitors of the present invention may be formulated with water in order to facilitate addition to the flow line.

The inhibitors of the present invention may be used alone or in combination with other compounds. Typical formulations include pour point depressants and/or surfactants. Examples of suitable pour point depressants are C₁ to C₃ linear or branched alcohols, ethylene and propylene glycol. Examples of suitable surfactants are ethoxylated nonylphenols and/or ethoxylated amines as wetting agents or additives for dispersing the inhibitor into the fluid stream to which they are added. The surfactant is advantageously water soluble to allow the product to better wet the surface of the flow line where corrosion may take place. Water soluble surfactants utilized may be non-ionic, cationic or anionic and will generally have a hydrophilic-lipophilic (HLB) value of about 1. Oil soluble surfactants may be utilized if it is desired to disperse the inhibitor composition into a hydrocarbon fluid. Oil soluble surfactants may be non-ionic, cationic or anionic. These surfactants typically have an HLB value less than 7.

Other compounds which may also be blended with the inhibitor compositions claimed herein are quaternary amines, such as fatty, cyclic or aromatic amines quaternized with lower alkyl halides or benzyl chloride and certain amides. In addition, formulations including the inhibitors of the present invention may include filming agents such as p-toluenesulfonic acid and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. The corrosion inhibitor may also contain components which are typically included in corrosion inhibiting compositions, such as scale inhibitors and/or surfactants. In some instances, it may be desirable to include a biocide in the composition.

An example of a formulation which has been generally found to give superior performance is presented in Table I.

TABLE I Component % by weight Water 10-60  Methanol 5-30 Isopropanol 5-30 p-Toluenesulfonic acid 0-5  Ethoxylated alkyl amine 2-15 surfactant Quaternized compound of 5-50 the present invention Quaternary salt 0-15

An example of a quaternary salt is an alkyl pyridine benzyl chloride quaternary salt. In the alkyl pyridine benzyl chloride quaternary salt, the alkyl group is preferably a methyl, ethyl or disubstituted alkyl group. The ethoxylated alkyl amine surfactant preferably has a carbon chain length of from about C₁₀ to about C₃₀ and preferably has about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of amine.

The formulation is preferably produced by blending several ingredients into a homogeneous mixture. Though not critical to practicing the invention, the preferred order of addition is as follows: i) quaternized compound, ii) methanol and/or isopropanol, iii) quaternary salt, iv) ethoxylated alkyl amine surfactant, v) water and vi) p-toluenesulfonic acid.

The resultant inhibitor formulation may be used in a variety of petroleum operations in the oil and gas industry. It can be used to treat systems used in primary, secondary and tertiary oil and gas recovery. The inhibitor formulation may be introduced to such systems in accordance with techniques well-known to those skilled in the art. For example, one technique in which the inhibitor formulation can be used is the squeeze treating technique, whereby the inhibitor formulation is injected under pressure into a producing formation, adsorbed onto the strata and absorbed as the fluids are produced. The inhibitor formulation can further be added in water flooding operations of secondary oil recovery, as well as be added to pipelines, transmission lines and refinery units. The inhibitor formulation may also be used to inhibit acid solution in well-acidizing operations.

The following non-limiting examples of preferred compounds that may be made and used as claimed herein are provided for illustrative purposes only.

Also, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the reaction schematics specifying particular intermediates and final products illustrate only those compounds which the Applicant presumes are significant compounds formed based on current principles of organic reaction chemistry and qualitative infrared analysis of the final reaction product. Illustration of a specified intermediate does not exclude the presence of other significant intermediate(s) important to the formation of the final product. Also, illustration of a final compound does not exclude the presence of other compounds in the final composition, including, without limitation, the unreacted starting reactants, intermediates and other final compound(s), if any, produced by competing reaction pathways.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of a Quaternized Imino Imidazoline

Preparation of Amine Imidazoline Mixture

175 g (0.62 mol) of TOFA was placed in a 500 mL round bottom four-neck flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, addition funnel, thermocouple and Dean-Stark trap. The acid was heated to 60° C. and a sweep of nitrogen gas was maintained over the surface of the liquid throughout the reaction. When the temperature reached 60° C., 82 g (0.8 mol) of DETA was added dropwise rapidly. An exotherm of about 40° C. was observed. The mixture was heated to 175° C. with stirring until the theoretical amount of water for amide formation (11 g) was collected. The infrared spectrum of the mixture at this point indicated the presence of amide (absorption at about 1630 and 1550 cm⁻¹) and free N—H (absorption at about 3315 cm⁻¹). The temperature was increased to 225° C. and maintained there for 2 hours (84% of the theoretical amount of water for 100% imidazoline formation was collected). The infrared spectrum exhibited the same two broad bands noted above and a sharper, intense band between them around 1610 cm⁻¹, indicative of imidazoline. Without being bound by theory, the presumed predominant intermediate and product are illustrated schematically below:

Reaction of Amine Imidazoline Mixture with Propionaldehyde

69.8 g (0.2 mol, presuming the composite molecular weight of the amine imidazoline is 349 g/mole) of the resultant amine imidazoline mixture was placed in a 250 mL round bottom flask equipped with an addition funnel and magnetic stirrer in an ice bath and cooled to 3° C. 13.6 g (0.23 mol) of propionaldehyde was added at a rate such that the temperature did not exceed 15.6° C. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. The water was removed using a separatory funnel and the organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The IR spectrum of the resultant imino/imidazoline mixture exhibited strong absorption at 1647 cm⁻¹, indicative of the presence of C═N. Without being bound by theory, the presumed predominant intermediate and product are illustrated schematically below:

Reaction of Imino Imidazoline Mixture with Acrylic Acid

38.9 g (0.1 mol, presuming the composite molecular weight of the imino imidazoline is 389 g/mole) of the resultant imino imidazoline mixture was weighed into a 250 mL round bottom four-neck flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, addition funnel and thermocouple. To this was added 9.4 g (0.13 mol) of acrylic acid via the addition funnel. The exotherm was noted and the mixture heated at 120° C. for 2 hours. Without being bound by theory, the presumed predominant intermediate and product are illustrated schematically below:

EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis of a Quaternized Amido Imidazoline

An amine imidazoline mixture was prepared as in Example 1.

Reaction of the Amine Imidazoline Mixture with Thioglycolic Acid

To 52.4 g (0.15 mol. presuming the composite molecular weight of the amine imidazoline is 349 g/mole) of the resultant amine imidazoline mixture in a 250 mL round bottom three-neck flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, thermocouple and addition funnel at 57° C. was added dropwise, rapidly, with stirring, 13.8 g (0.15 mol) of thioglycolic acid. An exotherm of 57-80° C. was observed. The mixture was heated at 120° C. for 1 hour and at 150° C. for 1 hour. Without being bound by theory, the presumed predominant intermediate and product are illustrated schematically below:

Reaction of Amide Imidazoline with Acrylic Acid

42.3 g (0.1 mol, presuming the composite molecular weight of the amide imidazoline is 423 g/mole) of the resultant amide imidazoline was weighed into a 250 mL round bottom four-neck flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, addition funnel and thermocouple. To this was added 9.4 g (0.13 mol) of acrylic acid via the addition funnel. The exotherm was noted and the mixture heated at 120° C. for 2 hours. Without being bound by theory, the presumed predominant intermediate and product are illustrated schematically below:

Inhibitor Performance

The performance of the inhibitors produced in Examples 1 and 2 was evaluated by Wheelbox and Stirred Kettle Tests. Each of the tests is described below and the results of the two tests are presented in tabular form.

Wheelbox Test

The Wheelbox Tests were conducted at 80° C. in a rotary oven. The coupons used were flat rectangular carbon steel coupons which had been water quenched and hardened. To prepare the coupons, metal surfaces were sand blasted, washed in an alcohol/toluene mixture and dried. The prepared coupons were weighed and placed individually in sample bottles.

The test medium was 90% by volume of a seawater brine and 10% by volume of kerosene. The fluid was sparged with CO₂. Each bottle was dosed with a measured amount of the inhibitor to be tested (2, 5 or 10 ppm in Wheelbox Test A and 5, 7.5 and 10 ppm in Wheelbox Tests B, C and D). Finally, the coupons were placed in the bottles which were then capped and shaken.

The oven was heated to 80° C. and loaded with the coupon-containing bottles. The bottles were rotated in the oven for a period of 24 hours. After cleaning and drying, the coupons were reweighed and the percent corrosion inhibition was calculated using the formula: $\frac{{{average}\quad {blank}\quad {weight}\quad {loss}} - {{weight}\quad {loss}\quad {of}\quad {treated}\quad {coupon}}}{{average}\quad {blank}\quad {weight}\quad {loss}} \times 100$

Each coupon was also visually inspected and the appearance was recorded.

The inhibitors were tested in four Wheelbox Tests A-D. Wheelbox Test A was an “actives only” test. Wheelbox Tests B, C and D were tests of the inhibitors at 8, 30 and 38 wt %, respectively, in formulations typically used in commercial applications.

The results presented in Table II are for Wheelbox Test A (“actives only”). The term “actives only” means that the test was conducted with the final product of Examples 1 and 2 only. The products were not mixed into a formulation, such as described above, typically used in commercial applications. The “actives only” test was used as a preliminary indicator of the effectiveness of the inhibitor The control used in the “actives only” Wheelbox Test A was the product of Example I of U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,640.

TABLE II Wheelbox Test A - Actives Only % Protection @ Inhibitor 2 ppm 5 ppm 10 ppm Blank  0  0  0 Control 71 86 90 Example 1 52 90 92 Example 2 77 90 92

Wheelbox Test A demonstrates that the inhibitor produced in Example 1 produced results better than that of the Control inhibitor at 5 ppm and 10 ppm. The inhibitor produced in Example 2 produced better results than the Control inhibitor.

The inhibitor of Example 1 showed lower inhibition performance at 2 ppm. In view of the performance of the Example 1 inhibitor at 2 ppm versus the Control I and Control II inhibitor formulations in 8 wt %, 30 wt % and 38 wt % active formulations (see Tables III-VI), this result of the Example 1 inhibitor at 2 ppm actives only is most probably aberrational. Therefore, despite such an aberrational result for the Example 1 inhibitor in this particular test, the general trend of results for Wheelbox Test A are surprising and unexpected.

The results of Examples 1 and 2 versus the Control are surprising and unexpected because the primary compound of each example does not contain a free amine or a freely available lone pair of electrons on a heteroatom in the group pendant to the second nitrogen of the imidazoline ring. In each instance, the lone pair of electrons is associated with either a nitrogen having at least a double bond (i.e., Example 1, imino moiety) or a carbonyl group (i.e., Example 2, amido moiety) proximate thereto. Accordingly, it was surprising and unexpected that such types of compounds (a) would have any significant positive effect on inhibitor performance whatsoever and (b) would perform comparably or better than the Control.

The inhibitor of Example 1 was then tested in a corrosion inhibition formulation, as an example of a commercial application. The Control I inhibitor formulation used in Wheelbox Tests B, C and D was a proprietary corrosion inhibition formulation produced by Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals, L. P., Sugar Land, Tex. The Control I inhibitor formulation includes up to 38% of a proprietary corrosion inhibitor active.

In Wheelbox Test B, 8 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with 8 wt % of the product of Example 1 to produce the Example 1 formulation. Likewise, 8 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with 8 wt % of the product of Example I of U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,640 to produce the Control II inhibitor formulation for Wheelbox Test B. The amounts and type of the remaining components of the Control I inhibitor formulation were constant in all formulations. The results are shown in Table III.

TABLE III Wheelbox Test B - 8 wt % formulation % Protection @ Inhibitor 5 ppm 7.5 ppm 10 ppm Blank  0  0  0 Control I 63 66 78 Control II 78 88 86 Example 1 90 94 94

The formulation containing the inhibitor produced in Example 1 gave better corrosion protection results as compared with both the Control I and Control II inhibitor formulations. Again, for the reasons discussed above, these results are both surprising and unexpected.

In Wheelbox Test C, 30 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with 30 wt % of the product of Example 1 to produce the Example 1 formulation. Likewise, 30 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with 30 wt % of the product of Example I of U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,640 to produce the Control II inhibitor formulation for Wheelbox Test C. The amounts and type of the remaining components of the Control I inhibitor formulation were constant in all formulations. The results are shown in Table IV.

TABLE IV Wheelbox Test C - 30 wt % formulation % Protection @ Inhibitor 5 ppm 7.5 ppm 10 ppm Blank  0  0  0 Control I 63 66 78 Control II 89 93 97 Example 1 94 95 98

The formulation containing the inhibitor produced in Example 1 gave better corrosion protection results as compared with both the Control I and Control II inhibitor formulations. Again, for the reasons discussed above, these results are both surprising and unexpected.

In Wheelbox Test D, 38 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with 38 wt % of the product of Example 1 to produce the Example 1 formulation. Likewise, 38 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with 38 wt % of the product of Example I of U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,640 to produce the Control II inhibitor formulation for Wheelbox Test D. The amounts and type of the remaining components of the Control I inhibitor formulation were constant in all formulations. The results are shown in Table V.

TABLE V Wheelbox Test D - 38 wt % formulation % Protection @ Inhibitor 5 ppm 7.5 ppm 10 ppm Blank  0  0  0 Control I 63 66 78 Control II 92 96 96 Example 1 97 98 98

The formulation containing the inhibitor produced in Example 1 gave better corrosion protection results as compared with both the Control I and Control II inhibitor formulations. Therefore, for the reasons stated above these results are surprising and unexpected.

Stirred Kettle Test

A “stirred kettle” apparatus was used to measure the corrosion inhibition capabilities of the corrosion inhibitors of the present invention.

The stirred kettle apparatus was a 1 L resin kettle with a four-neck removable top. A magnetic stirrer was used to agitate the fluids and a sparge tube was used to purge the fluids with N₂ to remove any O₂. A thermocouple and temperature controller were used to monitor/maintain the temperature of the system. The fluid used for the tests consisted of 700 mL brine and 300 mL kerosene. The fluid was stirred for 14 hours at 80° C.

A baseline corrosion rate was measured and the system was then dosed with the corrosion inhibitor. Corrosion rates were measured using a probe with two electrodes (reference and working). The probes were connected to a CORRATER (Rohrbach Instruments, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.), which recorded corrosion rates at periodic intervals. The CORRATER used the method of linear polarization resistance (LPR, ASTM procedure G59-91) to determine corrosion rates. The data was then downloaded to a spreadsheet software program which allowed graphical interpretation of the results.

The Control I inhibitor formulation was as described above with reference to Wheelbox Tests B, C and D. 8 wt %, 30 wt % and 38 wt % of the corrosion inhibitor active of the Control I inhibitor formulation was substituted with the inhibitor of Example 1 to produce the Example 1 formulation (indicated by 8 wt %, 30 wt % or 38 wt % active, respectively). The inhibitor formulation was used at a concentration of 2.5 ppm. Table VI illustrates the results of the Stirred Kettle Test.

TABLE VI Stirred Kettle Test (% Active Substituted)/ (% Total Active in % Protection Inhibitor Control I) after 14 hours Blank 0/0  0 Control I  0/38 85 Example 1  8/38 90 Example 1 30/38 84 Example 1 38/38 87

The results of the Stirred Kettle Test show comparable or better corrosion inhibition by formulations containing the inhibitor produced in Example 1, as compared with the Control I inhibitor formulation. Again, these results are surprising and unexpected for the reasons discussed above.

Preferred compositions and applications for practicing the invention, as well as preferred processes for making such compositions, have been described. It will be understood that the foregoing is illustrative only and that other compositions, processes for making such compositions, and applications for such compositions can be employed without departing from the true scope of the invention defined in the following claims. 

What is claim is:
 1. A method for reducing the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid having at least one corrosion agent, said method comprising: introducing a composition comprising at least a quaternized compound into said fluid; and contacting said metal with the fluid wherein the composition is produced by a process including the steps of: (a) providing a first organic compound from the group consisting of: (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein said fatty acid is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof; (b) providing an alkyl polyamine from the group having the formula: H₂N—CH₂—(CH₂)_(p)NH—(CH₂)_(q)—NH₂ wherein p=1 to 5 and q=2 to 10; (c) providing a second organic compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) carbonyl compounds having from 2 to 31 carbon atoms; (ii) fatty acids having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; and (iii) combinations thereof; (d) providing a third organic compound from the group consisting of: (i) substituted and unsubstituted, α, β-unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids, and amide derivatives thereof, having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted α, β-unsaturated sulfonic and phosphonic fatty acids having from 2 to 11 carbon atoms; and (iii) combinations thereof; (e) mixing said first organic compound and said alkyl polyamine in a mole ratio in a range of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1 to produce at least one first intermediate compound, wherein said mole ratio is the total moles of said first organic compound to the total moles of said alkyl polyamine; (f) mixing said at least one first intermediate compound with said second organic compound to produce a second intermediate compound; and (g) mixing said second intermediate compound with said third organic compound to produce said composition.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second organic compound is a carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of aldehydes having from 2 to 31 carbon atoms, ketones having from 2 to 31 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said second organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: (i) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; (ii) substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein said fatty acid is at least oxygenized, sulfurized or phosphorylized; and (iii) combinations thereof. 